lactoferrin and Otitis-Media-with-Effusion

Otitis media with effusion is a significant cause of hearing loss in young children. We hypothesized that persistent bacterial antigens in middle ear effusions (MEEs) might act as chronic inflammatory stimuli causing release of neutrophil proteins. Concentrations of neutrophil lactoferrin and a 37-kd cationic bactericidal protein (CAP 37) were measured in 47 MEEs collected from 27 children at the time of tympanostomy tube placement. Antigens of Streptococcus pneumoniae were detected by latex particle agglutination and those of Haemophilus influenzae by dot-blot assay. Bacterial antigens were detectable in 24 (51%) of MEEs: S pneumoniae in 10 (21%), H influenzae in 12 (26%), and both antigens in 2 (4%). Concentrations of lactoferrin and CAP 37 in H influenzae antigen-positive MEEs were significantly higher than in either S pneumoniae antigen-positive or antigen-negative MEEs. We conclude that H influenzae antigen causes a greater middle-ear inflammatory response, as judged by neutrophil products, than does S pneumoniae antigen.

Topics: Antigens, Bacterial; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Blood Proteins; Carrier Proteins; Child; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Neutrophils; Otitis Media with Effusion; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Lactoferrin (LF) level in the middle ear effusion of patients with otitis media with effusion (OME) was determined by using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to find the information on non-specific immunity in the middle ear cavity. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an intracellular enzyme, was also measured by spectrophotometer. We investigated cytological findings of middle ear effusion and classified cellular findings into five classes; Neutrophil dominant type, Lymphocytic-monocytic type, Mixed type, Cellular remnants type, and Too few cells type. LF and LDH levels in average: Serum, LF 1.14 microgram/ml, LDH 330.4 IU/l; Few cells type, LF 45.25 micrograms/ml, LDH 2,727.5 IU/l; Lymphocytic-monocytic type, LF 107.11 micrograms/ml, LDH 10,197.8 IU/l; Neutrophil dominant type, LF 99.73 micrograms/ml, LDH 10,580 IU/l; Mixed type, LF 163.71 micrograms/ml, LDH 19,342.9 IU/l; Cellular remnants type, LF 127.6 micrograms/ml, LDH 9,122 IU/l. LF level is high when cellular factors are rich in middle ear effusion.

Topics: Child; Exudates and Transudates; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Otitis Media with Effusion